Nigeria’s coming presidential elections is crucial for the continent

Lagos (Nigeria) The Nigerian general elections, due in April are crucial to the stability of Africa, the director of the West African Affairs in the US State Department, Mr. Philip Carter, said here Wednesday.

Speaking while on a courtesy visit to the campaign headquarters of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, Wednesday, Carter said on account of the importance of the election to Africa, his government sent him to confer with stakeholders, which include political parties, the electoral umpire, civil society organizations and others that play a role in the process in order to “have a sense of what is happening”.

The United States, he said wants the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to work towards the realization of free, fair, and acceptable elections in April so that stability could be guaranteed on the African continent.

Carter said the US government has invested so much in promoting democracy in Nigeria and was therefore keenly hoping that the current transition process would result in free, fair, and credible elections.

The National Secretary of the PDP, Chief Ojo Maduekwe assured Carter that the ruling party was very much concerned and working hard towards sustaining democracy where the rule of law is paramount, admitting that the situation was yet to be perfect.

He said the party was poised to surpass its winning record in the 2003 elections in a way that legitimacy of the outcome would not be compromised.

“The PDP is confident of winning in many states because it is the only party that is working hard campaigning and canvassing for votes from the electorate,” said Madueke.
/APA

Published by Korir
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